Newsletter February 2026: Optimal Heart Health Isn’t Just Diet & Cholesterol. It’s Impacted By Sleep
- Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
- Feb 2
- 5 min read
Dr. Tapp's Thought's
February is Heart and Stroke Month, and while cholesterol, blood pressure, and diet often take centre stage, there is a powerful and frequently overlooked contributor to heart disease and stroke: sleep apnea.
Last month, I spoke to you about sleep apnea in the context of weightloss. This month, to further highlight the importance of testing and treating, I want to put it in the spotlight again.
Obstructive sleep apnea is far more than a sleep issue. Large population studies consistently show that untreated sleep apnea is associated with a two- to three-fold increase in cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke risk, even after accounting for weight and other traditional risk factors.
Many people with sleep apnea are unaware they have it, as it doesn’t consistently present with snoring….yet repeated drops in oxygen overnight place chronic strain on the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system.
Sleep apnea is especially common in people with high blood pressure and is now recognized as one of the most common drivers of resistant hypertension (blood pressure that remains elevated despite medication). The relationship with stroke is equally concerning, with sleep apnea linked not only to first-time strokes but also to higher recurrence risk and poorer recovery.
Importantly, testing for sleep apnea does not have to start in a sleep clinic.
While an in-lab sleep study is required for an official diagnosis and for access to medical equipment through insurance or public funding, it is not required to begin gathering meaningful information. At-home testing devices and wearables can provide valuable initial insight into breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate variability, and sleep fragmentation.
One such option is the SleepImage Ring (https://www.sleepimage.com), an at-home assessment tool that we rent out through the clinic. Other wearables may also offer useful screening-level data. These tools can help answer a crucial first question: Is sleep apnea likely contributing to my health concerns? If you want to be added to our ring waitlist, hit reply on this email newsletter and type SleepImage.
Treatment is another area where misconceptions often stop people from moving forward. Depending on severity …mild, moderate, or severe… treatment does not always involve CPAP. Options may include oral appliances, positional therapy, weight and metabolic support, nasal or airway interventions, nervous system regulation, or targeted lifestyle strategies. CPAP is an important tool, but it is not the only path forward.
Do not let fear of a sleep lab or fear of a CPAP machine prevent you from gathering information. Because knowing whether sleep apnea is present changes the entire cardiovascular conversation.
This month’s newsletter invites a broader view of heart health. As our acupuncturist Courtney explores the emotional and energetic role of organs like the heart through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are reminded that the heart is not just a pump, it is deeply influenced by sleep quality, stress physiology, emotional load, and nervous system balance.
Supporting heart health starts with better questions:
• Are you truly getting restorative sleep?
• Is your nervous system ever fully at rest?
• Is your body asking for support, quietly, but persistently?
Sometimes the most important heart work happens while you sleep!
Sweet dreams.
Clinic News
Practitioner Opportunity: We’re Growing Our Team!
PCNM is expanding, and we’re currently looking for a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner to join our collaborative, integrative clinic.
This role is ideal for an NP who values evidence-informed, functional care and enjoys working closely with a team of naturopathic doctors in a highly organized clinical environment. The successful candidate will provide NP care aligned with integrative principles, collaborate within our established IV therapy program, and build strong, trust-based relationships with our NDs and infusion team over time.
PCNM is a well-established integrative clinic known for strong systems, thoughtful medicine, and a genuinely supportive team culture. Our practitioners benefit from:
A highly organized clinic environment (no chaos medicine)
A fully established IV suite with trained staff
Jane.app with AI scribe support to reduce charting time
Excellent administrative support so clinicians can focus on patient care
A collegial, respectful, forward-thinking team
If you love good medicine, good systems, and good people, you’ll fit right in. Please email health@pcnm.ca to apply. Not an NP but know someone who’d be a great fit? Feel free to share this opportunity with them and help us expand our care at PCNM.
On-Site Patient Parking Reminder
We're proud to offer free on-site parking for patients at the back of the building, however, this availability is limited. On busier days (like Wednesdays and Fridays when our IV suite operating), it's possible that the parking lot may be full.
With that in mind, we wanted to remind you that there is also convenient street parking available along Burnham Street, just a short walk from the clinic. Thank you for your understanding and for planning a little extra time for parking when needed.
The New Accessibility Ramp Is Now Complete
Back in late 2025, we set out to rebuild the accessibility access at the back of the building to make it as safe and sturdy as possible for our patients. We're excited to share that this project is complete! Please note that for safety, the back entrance to the clinic remains locked throughout the day. If you need to use the accessibility ramp, please let reception know and we'll ensure that the door is unlocked for you ahead of your appointment.
SleepImage Ring Rental For At Home Sleep Apnea Testing
Over the last two newsletters, we have focused on sleep apnea and the affect that it can have on your health. Many are apprehensive about visiting a sleep clinic and we wanted to introduce you to an accessible alternative available through PCNM, the SleepImage ring.
At-home testing devices (like the SleepImage ring) can provide valuable initial insight into breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate variability, and sleep fragmentation. If want to dive deeper into your sleep and screen for sleep apnea, hit reply to this newsletter and ask reception to add you to our rental waitlist. The rental fee is $50/night.
Welcoming A New Reiki Practitioner to PCNM!
We’re excited to welcome Karen Tweedle to the PCNM team, starting February 6th! Have you ever tried Reiki, or been curious about it? Reiki is a gentle energy healing practice that supports relaxation, balance, and overall wellbeing. Karen is a Reiki Master Teacher, offering:
Reiki
Axiatonal Alignment & Energy Healing Techniques
Karen will be available in the clinic on Friday evenings and Saturdays. If you’re interested in learning more or booking a session, please contact reception at 705-761-6596
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotions are meant to move through the body.
Not stay trapped inside it.
When life moves too fast, when we suppress what we feel, or when we stay in a constant state of stimulation, emotions can become stuck.
Over time, this stagnation affects the nervous system and the organs themselves, showing up as tension, fatigue, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, or pain.
These symptoms aren’t random. They’re messages asking for more flow, more safety, and more support. One of the simplest ways to help emotions move is through breath.
Here's one of my favourite breathing techniques to help you regulate your nervous system and release stuck emotions.
Learn How To Release Stuck Emotions in the article below
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